Lex Non-Scripta

Lots of people approach me to ask what they should and should not do when they are dressing. Truth is, as much as I would love to give a "correct answer," I don't always have any right answers. So, here are a few.


One, it's always acceptable for people to have different personalities. The world is so boundless that there are unlimited ways for each of us to each pick the things we like and don't like. Desktop wallpapers, favorite colors, and drink preference are never normally dictated by marketing powers. I mean, there may be fads for each of them, but sticking to personal preference is always much accepted. However, when it comes to interior design, food and (surprise) fashion, we rely on the "taste makers" to tell us what we should do.


Our insecurities can always be put to rest when Tim Gunn confirms, or refutes, someone's stylistic choices. We no longer have to speculate street trends if the Sartorialist covers it. We don't even have to worry about the IT bag running short on stock at Barneys because Anna Wintour kindly notified them months earlier.


Truth is, the people who give the right answers to your own personal style choices are the ones who you decide are right. –And it's great to evolve with trends and subscribe to the wider fashion narrative, but having great style extends right into your fiscal responsibility for yourself. So first, whether you love fashion or not, the truly stylish are not slaves to fashion. Fashion is a consumer driven market that thrives on you. So when you're buying things, make sure you buy them with purpose.


Two, diagonal stripes never work. Never.


Three, whether you like it or not, you dress for an audience. Whether you put clothes on to identify with your counter culture or you put on clothes in order to be clothed, you have no choice. We are taught to judge people without even having to talk to them. That being said if you dress defensively, guising yourself for a purpose –or offensively to communicate something about yourself, you have clothes on.


So, if your point is to make a positive impression, you should concentrate on dressing for your audience. You have a personality and therefore a completely unique way of expressing yourself. Learn your language in dressing and communicate what it is you want to say as people judge you. And if you still don't care? You should be creative enough to compensate.


Four, don't mix knits. This is obviously a contradiction by some definition so let me clarify: a V-neck sweater does not go with a cardigan, but a jersey knit works well with much of everything. If you wear something heavier than a jersey knit with another knit that is also heavier than a jersey knit, you're creating problems for yourself; you won't only be hotter than necessary, you'll be kitschier as well.


Five, showing skin in the medial areas of the body is only appropriate when there is no hair present.


Six, pay attention to hemlines. The length of your writs cuffs, pant length, skirt length is a determining factor of your professional appropriateness. Again, communication is everything, and you can say you belong in a certain place by what kind of attention you put into the way your clothes fit.


Seven, contradict yourself. Sometimes showing you don't care for rules is an impressive display of personal finess. If you are a Thom Browne guy, then by all means, your jacket length above your arse. And heck, if you're Mariah Carrey, your skirt slit should go past your hip. But like I said, you better have a means of compensation for the flack you'll get.


Eight, dear Carrine says it well. 

"If you're going to be sexy in a photo, you'd better be thinking about sex rather than about being sexy[.]"

 If you want to be sexually attractive, Dress, Live, Think, and Be sexy. BUT, if you have a problem with someone staring at you for that reason, don't try being sexy. Contradicting yourself if not good when you  dress to communicate something you don't want people to receive. 


Nine, you are in full control of your aesthetic persona, disregarding in-climate weather.